Warner not to run in 2008
Former Virginia gov. won’t pursue presidency
By Jordan Funderburk and Ben Baynton, staff writer and contributing writer
Posted on October 23, 2006

Approaching the podium on Oct. 12, former Virginia Gov. Mark Warner made public his decision not to run for the 2008 presidency.

“I want to have a real life,” Warner said in his official speech.
Warner’s decision leaves the field open to challengers and leaves Warner open to other political paths.

“My decision does not in any way diminish my desire to be active in getting our country fixed,” Warner said. “It doesn’t mean that I won’t run for public office again.”

Many Democrats saw the future of the party in Warner.

“He had the support of both parties and was one of the best governors,” said College Democrats president senior Jessica Killeen.

Students also supported Warner and his decision.

“If he wants to spend more time with his family, it’s a good decision,” junior Lupita Perez said.

Warner had become a front-runner for the 2008 Democratic primary. Vice president of the College Democrats, senior Jacob Thielen, compared his chance to former President Bill Clinton.

“Fifteen months out from the first nomination contests, I feel we would have had as good a shot to be successful as any potential candidate in the field,” Warner said.

Because of Warner’s success as a Democrat in a state normally considered red, many doors continue to be open for him.

“He is an attractive choice for vice president,” Thielen said. “Him being on the ticket could swing Virginia [in the 2008 presidential elections.]” He believes Warner would best fit as a ticket balancer for a candidate with a Northern constituency.

Left in Warner’s wake include two Democratic presidential hopefuls — senators John Kerry (D-Mass.) and Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.).

Kerry, President Bush’s opponent in the 2004 election, is expected to make another bid for the presidency.

“I would be surprised to not see Kerry give it another crack,” education assistant professor Tim Thomas said.

Most Democrats see Kerry as the more liberal choice.

“Kerry has been moving more left. He is trying to gear up the more liberal side against Hillary,” Thielen said.

Clinton will be forced to shed her liberal stigma, according to Thielen.

“One thing with Hillary is that she looks more liberal than she really is,” Killeen said.

Student and faculty reaction to Clinton has been mixed.

“Hillary has a lot of momentum, but I do not think the U.S. is ready,” Thomas said.with two years to go until the Democratic primary, many potential players have yet to emerge for the Democrats. John Edwards, Kerry’s running mate in 2004, is expected to take a strong stab at the presidency. Thielen, however, believes Sen. Russ Feingold (D-Wis.) could be the potential surprise.
 
“He’s opposed the war from the beginning,” Thielen said. “It is going to have to be someone who’s consistently opposed the war.”

Expected to lead the way for the Republicans is current Sen. John McCain, (R-Ariz.)

“It depends with McCain whether or not he can get out of the primary,” Killeen said.

Killeen expects politicians to announce their candidacy following the Senatorial elections. “By the end of this year you will know who threw their hats into the ring,” Killeen said.